"Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate)

The answer to “"Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate)” in the New York Times Midi crossword is ORE — a 3-letter word. This clue ran in the New York Times Midi crossword on July 17, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 24-Across. If it's the entry standing between you and a clean grid, that's the word you need — and below you'll find why it fits, plus links to the day's other clues if more than one square is giving you trouble.

“"Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate)” answer

ORE (3 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ORE.

Why the answer is ORE

ORE is the 3-letter solution that fits ""Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate)" in the NYT Midi crossword on July 17, 2026 (24-Across). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

When else has “"Either ___!" (geologist's punny response when asked their preference between hematite and carbonate)” appeared?

New York Times Midi reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up before, and what the answer was each time — handy if you landed here from a puzzle on another date.

July 17, 2026 (this puzzle) → ORE. We haven't indexed an earlier appearance of this exact clue yet.

More clues from the NYT Midi crossword on July 17, 2026

Stuck elsewhere in the grid? Here are some of the crossing and nearby clues from the same puzzle — tap any for its answer and explanation.

• "Oh God, this can't be ..." → LORDNO
• Rubs out, as a smudge mark → ERASES
• Director Craven → WES
• What a man walks into, in many a joke setup → BAR
• Supportive articles on a run, perhaps → SPORTSBRAS
• Fish egg delicacies → ROES
• Network that aired "American Dad!" → TBS
• What a well-trained dog might do for treats → SIT

Want every clue in one place? The full New York Times Midi answer list for July 17, 2026 is on that day's grid page, and today's live NYT Midi answers are always one tap from the today page.

About the NYT Midi Crossword

The New York Times Midi is the mid-size daily puzzle between the Mini and the full crossword — typically a 7×7 grid that still rewards quick pattern recognition. Because the Midi is compact, one stubborn clue can jam the whole solve, which is why a confirmed answer and a short explanation help most when you're stuck on a single square.

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